Hungary to build secondary line of defense along Serbian border

A “significant number” of illegal migrants could arrive in Hungary in 2017. The government will increase the budget of the interior ministry by 38 billion HUF (123.5m euros) to facilitate the construction of the second barrier

The Hungarian government has decided to build a “secondary line of defense” along the southern border with Serbia, János Lázár, the minister heading the prime minister’s office, has said.

Lázár argued that a “significant number” of illegal migrants could arrive in Hungary in 2017. The government will increase the budget of the interior ministry by 38 billion HUF (123.5m euros) to facilitate the construction of the second barrier, he said.

The government is planning to set up facilities to accommodate 400 migrants, Lázár said, adding that later on asylum seekers currently in open or closed camps in the country, some 600 people, would also be sent back to the new facilities.

According to MTI, Lázár also said the European Commission is preparing to take Hungary to court over energy price-setting. The commission is intent on companies determining energy prices, whereas Hungary believes the state should set prices based on people’s needs, he said. He said electricity and gas prices would likely increase by 30- 40 percent if they were to be set by the market.